Utter Devotion

All the King's Horses and All the King's Men

Loki laid back on his bed, Ciannait dancing across his thoughts.

He was becoming more and more infatuated with her, what had started as a way to possibly free them from Njord and a pleasant way to pass the time, was now becoming all he could think about.

He wanted more from her.

He just wasn't sure what more was or if she would even want more.

A brief knock interrupted his thoughts, before he could even get to his feet, the doors flew open and Sagira strode in, she nervously chewed on her thumb nail as she agitatedily moved around the room.

Once he got to his feet and gave a mock bow.

"Sagira to what do I owe the pleasure?"

Her eyes darted up to his face, she looked even more worried.

"Something happened to Nait."

His stomach sank, she had left the stables so quickly and there had been a sudden tightness around her eyes that at the time he hadn't understood.

Loki guided her to a chair and sat her down before sitting across from her.

"Why do you think I would know anything about that?"

She fixed him with a knowing look.

"We both know what you are doing together, I saw the marks today, your little love bites and I was in the stables just before you both entered, I had already had my suspensions but seeing you together just confirmed it for me," Loki immediately frowned and a denial started to fall from his lips when Sagira waved him off, "I don't care about that, as long as she willingly and enjoys what you are doing that's fine with me. Something happened afterwards. I think Njord did something to her."

Rage filled him, rumors filled the palace, he'd heard enough stories of how depraved Njords tastes were in the bedroom, he already knew he was more than violent, and the idea that Ciannait was regularly exposed to this man, at his beck and call, unnerved him.

"Where is she Sagira?"

"She's in her rooms. She made me leave and I don't know what to do."

Itching to do something, he got to his feet and began pacing around the room.

"And what do you propose I do? You do remember my family and I are quite literally hostages here."

Sagira smiled sadly at him, "I know that all too well, we've been trapped here nearly my entire life. She used to be different you know. She smiled and laughed, before we came here and for a while afterwards. But one day that smile vanished. She's run away before too, countless times. He always forces her back. As to what to do, I don't know but she needs help."

Loki paused in front of the window and stared outside, the sun had just set and night was coming, the deep shadows giving a sinister appearance to the grounds bellow.

Turning back around, he faced Sagira, the wearied look on her face at odds with her youth,  "Sagira, how is he controlling her?"

Her shoulders lifted in a brief shrug, "Truly I don't know. She won't talk about it, I know he threatens Ratana and I, but there's something else. Ratana has been trying to figure it out but she has had to teach herself magic, Njord wouldn't allow her to be properly trained."

Nodding, he patted the young girls shoulder and helped her to her feet and guided her to the door, "Listen to me Sagira, I promise you I will try to help all of you if I can. Now go and rest."

Nodding she left, her shoulders drooping with worry.

Now he just needed to go find Thor as he was sure the person he needed to talk to now would be with him.